Portable cell phone docking system

ABSTRACT

A docking station for a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone. The docking station includes a cradle for the cellular phone and comprises an associated LCD that enhances the video display capabilities of the cellular telephone. When docked, the cellular telephone draws power from a voltage supply provided by the docking station. While the cellular telephone is docked, a charging circuit recharges the cellular telephone battery. The docking station may be disconnected from an AC outlet so that the docked cellular telephone retains both enhanced display capabilities, which prove to be highly desirable for applications such as Internet access, as well as its inherent portability. Even in the portable mode, where the docking station is disconnected from the AC outlet, the docking station recharges the cellular telephone battery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to wireless communication technology and,more particularly, to technology for enhancing the capabilities ofwireless communications devices, such cellular or PCS telephones, so asto more closely approach the capabilities of personal computers,especially as those capabilities relate to the enablement of Internetaccess or access to other sources of data or information.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In recent years the personal computer (PC) industry has witnesseda sea change in the manner in which PCs are primarily used. Duringearlier stages in the rise of PC popularity, PCs were primarily takenlooked to for of their computational capacity. Subsequently, wordprocessing, spreadsheet, database and presentation applications began toassume the forefront. Still more recently, the PC has come to be seen asa communications device, and has experienced rapidly expanding use as acommunications terminal from which to send and receive electronicmessages. Along these lines, consumer acquisitions of PC's have latelybeen stimulated by the objective of using the PC simply as an applianceto access the Internet. In this mode, much of the embedded capability ofthe PC lies dormant, and PC users tend to become pre-occupied withinformation transmission bandwidth, rather than processing power orexpandability.

[0005] Concurrently, the proliferation of wireless communicationsdevices, such as cellular telephones, has accelerated to the point thatcellular telephones appear ubiquitous and are predicted by some toultimately displace wired communications facilities. In fact, cellulartelephone sales now exceed sales of PCs by a margin of approximately 2to 1, and it is anticipated that this margin will expand. As cellulartelephone technology has evolved, cellular telephone functionality hasbecome correspondingly more robust, and cellular phones now offercapabilities that were once the exclusive province of PCs. In fact, somecellular telephones now resemble small, low-end PCs with wireless accessto data networks, including the Internet. Ironically, many consumers arenow believed to acquire cellular telephones merely as an Internet-accessappliance.

[0006] That having been said, cellular telephones are burdened by anumber of characteristics that render them substantially less than idealfor applications such as Internet access. Perhaps paramount among theshortcomings of cellular telephones is the incommodious user interfacethey present. Unlike desktop or portable computers, present-day cellulartelephones fail to include browsers, or useable displays and keyboards.The small screen size renders cellular telephones unsuitable as aninterface to all but the most primitive sources of information, forexample, e-mail, stock quotations, paging information, and the like.

[0007] Accordingly, what is desired is a solution that enables cellulartelephones to operate as a convenient device for obtaining informationfrom on-line, and other, information sources, such as the Internet.Preferably, the solution will not compromise the desirability of thecellular telephone as a portable communications device, but willcomplement existing cellular telephone capabilities in a manner thatpromotes the cellular telephone as a viable alternate to low-end PCsthat are primarily acquired for use as an Internet-access terminal or asa device to access other information sources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The above objects, advantages and capabilities are achieved inone aspect of the invention by a docking station for a wirelesscommunications device, such as a cellular telephone. The docking stationincludes a support structure that includes a cradle for the wirelesstelephone and that exhibits a planar surface on which a display deviceis mounted. An internal charging circuit is coupled to a docking stationpower source for charging the power source. A first connector assemblycouples the charging circuit to an external source of electrical energy,in an expected configuration, an AC outlet. A second connector assemblycoupled to the output of the charging circuit selectively couples thecharging circuit to the cellular telephone in order to recharge thecellular telephone battery. A switch selectively couples the stationpower source to the cellular telephone when the cellular telephone isdocked, so that in the docked mode the cellular telephone operates fromthe station power source, while its internal battery is recharged by thedocking station.

[0009] The invention likewise inheres in a docking station, for awireless communication device, that comprises a docking housing having aplanar first surface. A display device is mounted on the planar firstsurface, and a cradle disposed on the docking housing supports thewireless communication device. A connector electrically couples thedocking station to the wireless communication device, so as to transmitboth power and data to the device. The station is equipped with acharging circuit and a switch that selectively couples the chargingcircuit to an internal voltage source. In a preferred embodiment, theswitch connects the charging circuit to the internal voltage source whenthere is not a wireless communication device docked at the station. Whena wireless communication device is docked, the switch enables thecharging circuit to be coupled to the wireless communication device forcharging.

[0010] From an alternative perspective, the invention is an apparatus,for use in a docking station, that selectively supplies power to acommunications device that is docked at the docking station. Theapparatus comprises a connector for electrically coupling the dockingstation to the communication device. The connector has at least firstand second terminals. A switch having a pole, a first terminal, and asecond terminal is operable in response to status information thatindicates whether a communications device is docked at the dockingstation. A charging circuit is coupled to the pole of the switch, and astation power source coupled to the first terminal of the switch. Inaddition, the apparatus includes means for determining whether acommunication device is docked at the station for providing statusinformation as a result of the determination.

[0011] In another embodiment, the invention may be exploited as a methodof enhancing the capabilities of a wireless communications device ininformation acquisition applications. According to the method, thewireless communications device, which may be a cellular telephone, ismounted on (docked at) a docking station that comprises a receptacle, inthe form of a cradle, for the cellular telephone; a display device; aconnector for effecting an electrical interface to the cellulartelephone; a docking station power source; a charging circuit; and aswitch that operates (effects predetermined connection) in response toinformation indicating whether a cellular telephone is docked at thestation. In order to embellish the limited video display capabilitiestypical of cellular telephones, the video output of the cellulartelephone is coupled to an enhanced display provided by the dockingstation. Where a cellular telephone is docked, the switch causes (i) thestation power source to be coupled to the cellular telephone and (ii)the charging circuit to charge the cellular telephone battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The subject invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart, with reference to the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1A is a front perspective of a docking station including ahousing 20 on which is mounted an enhanced video display 22 and whichincludes a recessed cradle 24 for a portable cellular telephone or otherform of WCD;

[0014]FIG. 1B is a side view of the docking station and depicts a stand30 for supporting the docking station in an orientation that facilitatesviewing of the video display by a user;

[0015]FIG. 1C is a side view of the docking station that illustrates analternative support mechanism for the docking station, in the form of aleg assembly 40 that is pivotally attached to the housing; and

[0016]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of interface components thateffectuate interoperability of the WCD with the docking station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] For a thorough understanding of the subject invention, referenceis made to the following Detailed Description, including the appendedClaims, in connection with the above-described Drawings. Referring nowto FIG. 1, the docking station depicted therein is seen to constitute asupport structure for a wireless communications device (WCD) (notshown). The WCD may be a cellular telephone, a PCS telephone, a pager,or the like. The support structure, in a preferred embodiment, assumesthe form of housing 20 that is characterized by a rectangularcross-section. The housing may have approximate dimensions 10″ (H)×15″(W)×1″ (D). Housing 20 has a substantially planar front surface 21 onwhich is mounted a flat-panel display device 22. Numerous manufacturerssupply display devices of wide-ranging characteristics that are suitablefor use in the subject invention. What is primarily significant here isthat display device 22 provide performance characteristics, includingsize and resolution, that are markedly superior to the LCD displaystypically incorporated with currently available WCDs. Housing 20 alsoexhibits a cradle 22 for a WCD. Cradle 22 is shown in FIG. 1 as recessedwith into front surface 21 of housing 20. The precise geometry of thecradle is not deemed critical, and the salient requirement of the cradlecontour is to facilitate convenient placement and reliable retention ofthe WCD. In general, it may be assumed that the cradle is configured tobe complementary to the form of the WCD. Also exhibited in cradle 22 isan electrical connector 23. The primary purpose of connector 23 is toeffect an electrical interface between the docking station and the WCD.In this regard, connector 23 contains a number of electrical contactsnecessary to realize the necessary conductive connections, as specifiedbelow, between the docking station and the WCD. Therefore connector 23will afford the number of contacts 230, et seq. that have the physicaldimensions necessary for compatibility with a mating connector providedby the WCD.

[0018] For convenient docking and operation of the WCD in the dockingstation, a mechanism is provided that maintains housing 20 in agenerally upright position, in a manner that facilitates accessibleviewing by a user of information contained on display device 22. Manyoptions are available to perform this function. Specifically, FIG. 1B,in a view at a side of housing 20, illustrates a stand 30 on which thehousing may be disposed. The stand exhibits a bottom portion 31 on whichthe housing sits and an oblique (to the bottom portion 31) back portion32 on which housing 20 reclines. In addition, stand 30 includes anintegral lip 33 that maintains housing 20 upright in the stand. Stand 30may be fabricated from any suitable material, including but not limitedto metal, plastic, and such.

[0019] Alternatively, housing 20 may be maintained in a more or lessupright position through a leg assembly 40 that is rotatably attached inthe sides of housing 20. FIG. 1C depicts the alternative leg assembly.As depicted in FIG. 1C, leg assembly may be inserted into opposite sidesof housing 28 at receptacles 25, one of which is viewable in FIG. 1C.

[0020] Housing 20 encloses an electronic interface module 10 thatincludes a number of components that cooperate to impart enhancedoperational features to a WCD when the WCD is docked at the dockingstation. These components are depicted in FIG. 2. As indicated above,and reiterated in FIG. 2, the docking station electrical interfacebetween the docking station and the WCD is effected through connector23, which in FIG. 2 is shown to comprise at least four contacts 230,231, 232 and 233, which correlate to four contacts at a WCD interfaceconnector. Contact 230 is connected to circuit ground (GND) at thedocking station and is intended to effect continuity between the dockingstation and the WCD ground. Contact 231 is denominated “Video” andaccepts the video output from the WCD. The video (or data) output of theWCD applied to contact 231 is coupled to a video interface circuit 70.The video interface circuit converts the video signal output from theWCD to the signal(s) necessary to drive display device 22.

[0021] In one embodiment, video interface circuit 70 conforms to theDigital Visual Interface (DVI) Specification promulgated by the DigitalDisplay Working Group (DDNG) and published in April 1999. A copy of theDVI specification is included as Appendix A, and is incorporated in itsentirety into this Description.

[0022] The docking station includes an internal rechargeable battery 40that is coupled to a contact 232 on connector 23. In the absence of WCD,battery 40 is coupled to charging circuit 50 through switch 60. Chargingcircuit 50 is coupled to docking station connector 80 and from connector80 through line cord 81 and plug 82 to an AC outlet. Switch 60 has apole terminal 61 coupled to the output of 51 of charging circuit 50. Thenormally closed (NC) terminal 62 of switch 60 is coupled to contact 232.In a manner such as described below, switch 60 is normally closed whenno WCD is docked at the station. In this orientation, switch 60 couplescharging circuit 50 to internal battery 40 in order to recharge, ormaintain the charge on, battery 40. However, when a WCD is docked,docking detector 90 causes switch 50 to be oriented in the normally open(NO) position, in which pole 61 is connected to NO terminal 63. Terminal63 is in turn connected to contact 233 on connector 23. Contact 233 iscoupled through a corresponding contact on the WCD connector to arechargeable battery in the WCD. In this manner, when a WCD is docked atthe docking station, charging circuit 50 operates to recharge the WCDinternal battery. In this mode, docking station battery 40 is coupledthrough contact 232 to a mating contact on the WCD connector. Thatcontact is electrically connected to a B⁺ bus in the WCD, so that powerto the WCD by the docking station.

[0023] As an additional advantageous feature, the arrangement describedabove allows the WCD rechargeable battery to be recharged, even when thedocking station is operating in a portable mode. That is, when line cord81 is detached from connector 80, or when plug 82 is simply removed fromthe AC outlet, the docking station becomes portable, and the user willbe able to move from one location to another or to perambulate about agiven location, while continuing to receive the benefit of the enhanceddisplay. Nevertheless, even in this portable mode, charging circuit 50will continue to charge the WCD battery.

[0024] In order to effectuate the operation described above, the dockingstation relies on docking detector 90 to determine whether a WCD isdocked. Docking detector 90 drives switch 60 in response to informationindicating whether or not a WCD is docked. In an illustrativeembodiment, a docking detector 90 is coupled to a contact on interfaceconnector 23 that provides information that defines the status of thestation that is whether or not a WCD is docked.

[0025] If there is no WCD docked at the station, the output of dockingdetector 90 will drive switch 60 to the NC orientation. That is, pole 61will be in contact with NC terminal 62, thereby coupling chargingcircuit 50 to station power source 40. Conversely, if a WCD is docked,docking detector 90 will drive switch 60 to the NO orientation, in whichcharging circuit 50 is coupled to the WCD battery, and docking stationbattery 40 is coupled to in WCD B⁺ bus.

[0026] A number of approaches may be used to provide docking statusinformation to docking detector 90, and the invention is not limited byspecific approach adopted in a particular embodiment. For example, adocking status contact 234 may be provided on interface connector 23.The docking status information, in this context, may simply assume theform of a logic level, a signal, an impedance to GND, or the like thatis detected by docking detector 90. Alternatively, the docking stationmay incorporate a mechanical switch that is actuated when a WCD isdocked at the docking station. In accordance with this approach, themechanical switch may be switch 60, and the need for separate dockingdetector is largely obviated inasmuch as the docking detection andswitching functions are both performed by switch 60.

[0027] Accordingly, although there have been shown and described aboveillustrative embodiments of a Docking Station for a WirelessCommunication Device, including what at present is considered the bestmode for carrying out the invention, those having ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that various changes and modifications may be madewithout departure from the scope of the invention. Therefore, theinvention is not intended to be limited by the Description above, but isto be defined by the appended Claims, and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A docking station for a cellular telephone, thedocket station comprising: a support structure including a first surfaceon which is disposed a display device and a cradle; a station powersource; charging means coupled to the station power source for chargingthe station power source; a first connector assembly for coupling thestation power source to an external source of electrical energy; asecond connector assembly coupled to the charging means for selectivelycoupling the charging means to the cellular telephone for charging thecellular telephone; and a switch for selectively coupling the stationpower source to the cellular telephone when the cellular telephone ispositioned in the docking station.
 2. A docking station for a wirelesscommunication device, the docking station comprising: a docking housinghaving a planar first surface; a display device mounted on the planarsurface; cradle means for supporting the wireless communication device,the cradle means disposed on the docking housing; a connector forelectrically coupling the docking station to the wireless communicationdevice; an internal voltage source; a charging circuit for charging avoltage source; and a switch for selectively coupling the chargingcircuit to the internal voltage source.
 3. A docking station for awireless communication device as defined in claim 2, wherein theconnector comprises a first terminal coupled to the internal voltagesource.
 4. A docking station for a wireless communication device asdefined in claim 3, wherein the connector comprises a second terminalselectively coupled to the charging circuit through the switch.
 5. Adocking station for a wireless communication device as defined in claim4, wherein the connector comprises a third terminal coupled to GND.
 6. Adocketing station for a wireless communication device as defined inclaim 5, wherein the first terminal is for selective coupling to a B⁺bus in the wireless communication device and the second terminal is forcoupling to a wireless communication device voltage source.
 7. A dockingstation for a wireless communication device as defined in claim 4,wherein the switch has a pole coupled to the charging circuit and has afirst terminal selectively coupled to the first terminal of theconnector.
 8. A docking station for a wireless communications device asdefined in claim 7, wherein the switch has second terminal selectivelycoupled to the second terminal of the connector.
 9. A docking stationfor a wireless communication device as defined in claim 8, wherein thefirst terminal is for selective coupling to a B⁺ bus in the wirelesscommunication device and the second terminal is for coupling to awireless communication device voltage source.
 10. A docking station fora wireless communication device as defined in claim 8, wherein when awireless communication device is positioned in the docking station, theswitch operates to couple the charging circuit to the second terminal ofthe connector so as to enable the charging circuit to charge thewireless communication device voltage source.
 11. A docking station fora wireless communication device as defined in claim 8, wherein when awireless communication device is not positioned in the docking station,the switch operates to couple the charging circuit to the dockingstation internal voltage source.
 12. A docking station for a wirelesscommunication device, as defined in claim 2, further comprising a videointerface coupled to the display device and operable to transform avideo signal generated by the wireless communication device into a videosignal that is compatible with the display device.
 13. A docking stationfor a wireless communication device as defined in claim 12, wherein whena wireless communication device is positioned in the docking station,the switch is operable to couple the charging circuit to the wirelesscommunication device voltage source so as to enable the charging circuitto charge the wireless communication device voltage source.
 14. Adocking station for a wireless communication device as defined in claim13, wherein when a wireless communication device is not positioned inthe docking station, the switch operates to couple the charging circuitto the docking station internal voltage source.
 15. A docking stationfor a wireless communications device as defined in claim 2, furthercomprising means for determining whether a wireless communicationsdevice is docked at the station and for providing status information asa result of the determination.
 16. A docking station for a wirelesscommunications device as defined in claim 15, wherein the switch isoperable in a response to status information to selectively couple thecharging circuit to the station power source when a wirelesscommunications device is not docked and to selectively couple thecharging circuit to a power source of the wireless communications devicewhen a wireless communications device is docked.
 17. A docking stationfor a wireless communication device as defined in claim 16, furthercomprising a video interface coupled to the display device and operableto transform a video signal generated by the wireless communicationdevice into a video signal that is compatible with the display device.18. In a docking station for a wireless communications device, anapparatus for selectively supplying power to the communications device,the apparatus comprising: a connector for electrically coupling thedocking station to the communications device, the connector having atleast first and second terminals; a switch having a pole, a firstterminal, and a second terminal, the switch operable in response tostatus information indicating whether a communications device is dockedat the docking station; a charging circuit coupled to the pole of theswitch; a station power source coupled to the first terminal of theswitch; and means for determining whether a communication device isdocked at the station and for providing status information as a resultof the determination.
 19. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, whereinthe first terminal of the switch is electrically coupled to the firstterminal of the connector and the second terminal of the switch iselectrically connected to the second terminal of the connector.
 20. Anapparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the switch operates to connectthe pole terminal to the first terminal in response to statusinformation indicating that a communications device is not docked at thedocking station, whereby the charging circuit then charges the stationpower source.
 21. An apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein thesecond terminal of the connector is configured to be coupled to thewireless communications device power source when the device is dockedand wherein the switch operates to connect the pole terminal to thesecond terminal of the switch in response to status informationindication that a wireless communications device is docked at thedocking station, whereby the charging circuit then charges the wirelesscommunications device power source.
 22. A method of enhancing thecapabilities of a wireless communications device for informationacquisition applications, the method comprising the steps: mounting thewireless communications device on a docking station that comprises: (a)a cradle for the wireless communications device, (b) a display device,(c) a connector for effecting an electrical interface to the wirelesscommunication device, (d) a station power source, (e) a chargingcircuit, and (f) a switch operable in response to information indicatingwhether or not a wireless communications device is docked at the dockingstation; coupling a video output from the wireless communications deviceto the display device; causing the station power source to be coupled tothe wireless communications device; and causing, in response toinformation that the wireless communication device is docked a thestation, the charging circuit to charge the wireless communicationsdevice.
 23. A method as defined in claim 22, wherein, in response toinformation indicating that a wireless communications device is dockedat the docking station, the switch couples the charging circuit to avoltage source included with the wireless communications device, and inresponse to information indicating that a wireless communications deviceis not docked at the station, the switch couples the charging circuit tothe station power source.
 24. An assembly for docking a wirelesscommunication device (WCD) so as enhance the capabilities of the device,the assembly comprising: a housing having a receptacle for the WCD; anenhanced display device; an internal chargeable power source; a chargingcircuit; switch means, responsive to a predetermined status of theassembly, for selectively coupling the charging circuit to the internalchargeable power source; detachable means for coupling the chargingcircuit to a source of electrical power; a video interface circuit forcoupling the video output of the WCD to the enhanced display device; aconnector for electrically coupling the docking station to the WCD; anda support for the housing.
 25. An assembly as defined in claim 24,wherein the enhanced display device is mounted on a planar surface ofthe housing.
 26. An assembly as defined in claim 25, wherein the supportfor the housing is a stand having a base portion and an oblique backportion.
 27. An assembly as defined in claim 25, wherein the support isrotatably attached to the housing.
 28. An assembly as defined in claim25, wherein the detachable means includes a line cord and a plug forinsertion into an AC outlet.
 29. An assembly as defined in claim 24,wherein the switch is operable in a response to status information toselectively couple the charging circuit to the station power source whena WCD is not docked and to selectively couple the charging circuit to apower source of the WCD when a WCD is docked.
 30. An assembly as definedin claim 29, further comprising a connector for effecting an electricalconnection between the assembly and the WCD, the connector comprising afirst contact coupled to the internal chargeable power source and asecond contact coupled to the switch means.
 31. A method for using awireless communication device, the method comprising: mounting thewireless communications device on a docking station that comprises: (g)a cradle for the wireless communications device, (h) a display device,(i) a connector for effecting an electrical interface to the wirelesscommunication device, (j) a station power source, (k) a chargingcircuit, and (l) a switch operable in response to information indicatingwhether or not a wireless communications device is docked at the dockingstation; causing the station power source to be coupled to the wirelesscommunications device; and causing, in response to information that thewireless communication device is docked a the station, the chargingcircuit to charge the wireless communications device.
 32. A method asdefined in claim 31, further comprising: using the docking station in aportable mode; and continuing to cause the station power source to becoupled to the wireless communication device and to cause the chargingcircuit to charge the wireless communication device.